PENINSULA BIBLE CHURCH CUPERTINO THE WORST POSSIBLE “GOOD NEWS” Catalog No. 1042 2 Samuel 17:24-19:8 SERIES: THE DIARY OF AN OLD KING 28th Message Brian Morgan December 15th, 1996 At Christmas time we think of the angels descending troops and divides them into three divisions, each com- from heaven to earth, breaking in on the shepherds in manded by a general: Joab shares the command with his Bethlehem with the announcement: “Do not be afraid; for brother Abishai and his newest disciple and loyal friend, behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be Ittai the Gittite. After he organizes the troops, David ex- for all the people; for today in the city of David there has presses a strong desire to personally direct the battle in the been born for you a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord” field. He does not want to stay home. We are reminded, (Luke 2:10-11). Hearing the words “good news” (gospel), ever so painfully, that his staying home from the battle the shepherds were overcome with emotion. The term was years earlier (2 Sam 11:1) set in motion the terrible sins of rich with meaning which sprang from the Old Testament adultery, murder, rape, more murder, insurrection, and fi- stories. But, because oftentimes we are unaware of that nally, exile. David is not about to make that mistake again. context, we lack the appropriate emotional response that But his troops object to having their aged king exposed to the gospel brings. the heat of battle. His presence would place them in great The background and context of the “good news” is a jeopardy, so they request that he play his role as com- battle scene. It begins with a rebellion and the exile of the mander-in-chief from the city. David submits to their true king. A battle is fought, victory is secured, messengers counsel and directs the battle at home from “beside the run from battlefield to the city of the king, announcing the gate.” This is a well placed counter by the narrator to the victory as “good news.” The news was heard first, by the memory of Absalom, who stood “beside the gate” (2 Sam. watchmen on the city walls. They announced it to the city, 15:2) to steal away the hearts of Israel from his father. and everyone was overcome with joy that their God Once the troops are numbered they are paraded before reigned. Today, we come to the place in the David story the king. In the middle of the ceremony, David blurts out where that exact framework of the gospel is laid out. But the impassioned plea: “Deal gently for my sake with the what is unique about this text is that we see from the fa- young man Absalom.” Here we see the real reason behind ther’s perspective how the good news impacts him, espe- David’s request to lead the battle in person. He feels that cially when he learns that the price of victory is the death victory is in the air, but he cannot bear the thought of what of his son. victory might cost: the death of his son. Death, of course, is Following the rebellion of Absalom, his son, David was the sentence that his son’s blatant treason deserves, but it exiled to the desert. At last he has safely arrived in Maha- is a sentence from which his father’s heart recoils. David’s naim.1 While Absalom puts on an elaborate coronation cer- words ring out with the piercing clarity of a church bell at emony for himself in Jerusalem, David organizes himself high noon. Not one of the assembled troops failed to ap- for battle.2 preciate the desire of this father’s heart. But the king’s command fills the air with a new tension. How can resto- I. Assembly for War (18:1-5) ration occur without justice? Then David numbered the people who were with him And now the battle. Verse 12: and set over them commanders of thousands and com- manders of hundreds. And David sent the people out, II. The Battle (18:6-18) one third under the command of Joab, one third under Then the people went out into the field against Israel, the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. And brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the the people of Israel were defeated there before the ser- Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I myself will vants of David, and the slaughter there that day was surely go out with you also.” But the people said, “You great, 20,000 men. For the battle there was spread over should not go out; for if we indeed flee, they will not the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more care about us, even if half of us die, they will not care people that day than the sword devoured. (18:6-8) about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us; there- fore now it is better that you be ready to help us from David has arranged for the battle to be fought in the fo- the city.” Then the king said to them, “Whatever rested lands of Ephraim, where the terrain would work in seems best to you I will do.” So the king stood beside favor of his own outmanned forces. The result is a rout of the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and Absalom’s army, with tremendous loss of life. The dense thousands. And the king charged Joab and Abishai forest and the panic of battle sends Absalom’s confused and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the soldiers running in all directions until they became hope- young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when lessly disoriented and finally, ravaged. The Transjordan the king charged all the commanders concerning Ab- countryside which feeds David’s men (17:24-29), devours salom. (NASB) the men of Absalom. With the battle now imminent, David numbers his Next, the narrator moves from the fate of the army to the fate of their leader. him, “You are not the man to carry news this day, but you shall carry news another day; however, you shall Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of Da- carry no news today because the king’s son is dead.” vid. For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran. And his head caught fast in the oak, so he was left Now Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said once more to hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run that was under him kept going. (18:9) after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why would you Just as the mass of the Israelite army is liquidated by a run, my son, since you will have no reward for going?” forest, their leader is “liquidated by an individual tree, the “But whatever happens,” he said, “I will run.” So he size of which is both the symbol and the ironic negation of said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the Absalom’s pride.”3 By chance, Absalom is spotted by Da- plain and passed up the Cushite. (18:19-23) vid’s men. Fokkelman describes the scene: “Through his great dread of the soldiers, he pays too little attention to Following the victory, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, once the the surroundings, so that he does not stoop in time to messenger of bad news, can’t wait to volunteer for this avoid the low-hanging tangle of boughs.”4 Ironically the role again—only now as an enthusiastic messenger of dumb animal keeps trotting on, unaware that his depar- “good news.” But the naive youth has no idea of the im- ture has left the would-be king helplessly suspended be- pact this good news will have on a waiting father. Initially, tween heaven and earth. At one moment he is seated on Joab refuses the youth’s request, insisting that a foreigner his princely mount, at the next, he is suspended helpless. with no emotional ties to the king is better suited to deliv- “‘Losing his mule Absalom has lost his kingdom’ (Con- er this terrible good news. However, after repeated re- roy)…Suspended ‘between heaven and earth,’ the mortal quests by Ahimaaz, Joab condescends and allows him to Absalom fails to achieve either, fulfillment of his life on tag along as a second runner. earth, as a prince or king, and the transcendent dimension Verse 24: of existence, heaven, the kingdom of God. ‘Between heav- Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the en and earth’ means that he has become a nowhere man. watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, His pride, his ambition and his rebelliousness—in short, and raised his eyes and looked, and behold, a man his ego—have brought him to a point where he is no long- running by himself. And the watchman called and er in control. His bid for power has removed the ground 5 told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself from beneath his feet and led to complete impotence.” there is good news in his mouth.” And he came nearer The scene gives the reader a touch of the humor of di- and nearer. Then the watchman saw another man run- vine justice. A spoiled son, deprived of nothing, whose ning; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and glory was his hair, whose ambition was the throne, so roy- said, “Behold, another man running by himself.” And ally seated on his princely ass, is now deprived of both, by the king said, “This one also is bringing good news.” means of his donkey and his hair. And the watchman said, “I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Za- What follows (vv 10-18) is a heated exchange between dok.” And the king said, “This is a good man and an unnamed soldier who spies Absalom’s helpless condi- comes with good news.” tion, and Joab. The soldier reports to Joab what he has seen, only to be met by the general’s fury that he did not And Ahimaaz called and said to the king, “All is well kill Absalom. When the youth reminds the general of the (Shalom).” And he prostrated himself before the king king’s clear command, Joab loses patience. He grabs three with his face to the ground. And he said, “Blessed is spears and flings them right at the heart of Absalom, dis- the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men lodging him from the tree. Ten of Joab’s attendants finish who lifted their hands against my lord the king.” And off the helpless usurper. They throw his body into a pit the king said, “Is it well (shalom) with the young man and cover it with stones, a memorial to his dishonorable Absalom?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent death. Thus Joab “assumes a king’s responsibility for the the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great tu- State, which in his opinion David neglects or, as a senti- mult, but I did not know what it was.” Then the king mental father, is unable to bear.”6 said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still. A would-be usurper of the crown, Absalom dies with no legacy, no son, and no house of his own, only a self- And behold, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, made monument to his vainglory. “Let my lord the king receive good news, for the Lord has freed you this day from the hand of all those who Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the good news of victory rose up against you.” Then the king said to the Cu- is carried by messengers to the waiting king. Normally, shite, “Is it well with the young man Absa- such a report of messengers carrying good news is dis- (shalom) lom?” And the Cushite answered, “Let the enemies of pensed within a few lines of information, but here the nar- my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for rator gives almost twenty times that amount of detail so as evil, be as that young man!” to give us pause and allow us a glimpse into a father’s (18:24-32) psyche and the anxious feelings that are assailing him. Pitched with adrenaline and excitement, Ahimaaz out- runs the foreigner and is first to arrive at the city. David is III. Messengers of “Good News” (18:19-32) “sitting between two gates”—a graphic description of a Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Please let me king delicately perched between two destinies, one of vic- run and bring the king news that the Lord has freed tory and restoration, the other of defeat and permanent ex- him from the hand of his enemies.” But Joab said to ile. As the messengers arrive, we get an insight into Da- vid’s psyche. His role as a distraught father has completely one that is dense with pathos. It is made up mostly of overshadowed his role as king and head of state. The lens nouns, all linked with but one verb. The first and last lines he uses to interpret information from the battle is a narrow have but two different words (beni: “my son,” and Absa- one at best, and completely one sided. He interprets every- lom: “father of peace”). These are everyday terms—son, fa- thing through the grid of the “good news” he so longs to ther, peace—but they are powerful words which resonate hear—the only news that he will permit himself to hear. with emotion. Each carries both images of the father and The sight of Ahimaaz evokes good memories for David. the son and links them with what ought to have been… The king is heartened with his word of “Shalom,” which peace, peace, peace. In the center is a father’s atoning wish resonates with his son’s name, Absalom, giving David the to have taken his son’s place in death. The poem powerful- impetus to interpret the messenger’s arrival as good news. ly draws these two estranged men face to face and unites Ahimaaz “thinks that he is addressing a king, but it is only them at every level with intimate touch, wholeness, and a the father who is listening.”7 After making the initial an- well being that is dreamlike. But reality has shattered the nouncement, the realization finally sinks in to the naive dream, and now silence screams from a son’s grave. Thus youth that he is talking to Absalom’s father, a father that five-fold repetition of “my son” rings out a lifetime of whose only desire is not the “good news” of the battle, but emotion for David’s failings as a father. the “good news” that his son is well (shalom). Ahimaaz From a father who suddenly loses a son due to an acci- avoids the issue. Choking back his words with an evasive, dent, war or for whatever cause, the exclamation ‘had I “I saw…ah…a commotion…but I don’t know what…uh but died in your place!’ is moving, understandable and …”, he stands aside, hoping to buy some time until the sound, but in the mouth of this father who has not the Cushite arrives with what Ahimaaz now realizes is terrible courage required for drastic remedies in connection news. with such an incorrigible spoiled son, the same exclama- 8 When the Cushite arrives, this second messenger an- tion is quite different, a sign of pure self-torment. nounces good news: “You, O King, are free from all!” Contrasting David’s sorrow on this occasion with the Good news for the head of state, but disconcerting news sorrow that he felt during his ascent up the Mount of for the waiting father. An anxious David probes further: Olives, Fokkelman points out that on the Mount, David “Is it shalom with the young man Absalom?” The Cushite was in the role of a king mourning the loss of his throne. answers in terms of David’s role as king, not as father, stat- Politically and emotionally, he was realistic and adequate ing in no uncertain terms that this young man, the treach- through his trust. He was himself, he was whole and able erous rebel, is dead, but he carefully avoids using his to reach out and embrace others in healthy relationships. name and the word death. Finally, the father knows that But now, at the Mahanaim gate, David is in the role of a fa- the price of restoring the kingdom and the penalty for trea- ther mourning the loss of his son. He is governed by illu- son is the life of the son—a son hung on a tree. sions which lead to disillusion and a one-sided view of re- ality. Being self absorbed, he is inadequate to cope. The What follows is one of the most poignant scenes in Bibli- wholeness he once exhibited is now split by too great an cal narrative. identification with his son. This leaves him alone, and iso- IV. The Impact of Terrible “Good News” lated from relationships.9 (18:33-19:8) David’s self-absorbed sorrow weighs heavily on the en- And the king was deeply moved and went up to the tire city and drags it down into the pit that he occupies. chamber over the gate and wept. And thus he said as Victory is tinged with blackness; jubilation is drowned out he walked, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absa- by silence. Each citizen, once consumed in full-throated lom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my praise, now secretly slips out of the celebration as if their son, my son!” joy had made them unclean. The isolation into which Da- Then it was told Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping vid withdraws, when his soldiers have spent their lives to and mourns for Absalom.” And the victory that day save his crown, is intolerable. Action is demanded. was turned to mourning for all the people, for the peo- Alarmed and outraged, Joab intervenes. He breaks into ple heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his David’s womb of isolation and confronts him with manly son.” So the people went by stealth into the city that force to shake him and awake him and drag him out of his day, as people who are humiliated steal away when pit of despair. Verse 5: they flee in battle. And the king covered his face and Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, cried out with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O “Today you have covered with shame the faces of all Absalom, my son, my son!” (18:33-19:4) your servants, who today have saved your life and the The news of Absalom’s death hits David with an explo- lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your sion of pain that buries his soul in sorrow. He rises to es- wives, and the lives of your concubines, by loving cape public view and climbs a stairway to a chamber those who hate you, and by hating those who love above the gate, seeking to be alone. Walled in by isolation, you. For you have shown today that princes and ser- he paces back and forth like a wounded animal, and with vants are nothing to you; for I know this day that if agonizing cries unleashes his consummate grief: Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! then you would be pleased. Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by Would I had died instead of you, the Lord if you do not go out, surely not a man will O Absalom, my son, my son!” pass the night with you, and this will be worse for you David’s poignant cry takes the shape of a poet’s lament, than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.” (19:5-7) The scene ends in verse 8, with a compliant father bow- What did the Father feel when he committed his Son ing to the bidding of his general and returning to his hon- over to human flesh? What was it like to relinquish control ored role of king, reluctant though he may be. David de- of a Son to be raised by mere teenagers with no experience scends the chamber and puts on his public face where he as parents? More fearful yet, what pain swept his soul can mask the pain and play the game that protocol de- when the Son was given over to a career of rejection with- mands. He takes his place in the receiving line and ex- in Israel? Jesus was no captain of the football team. He was tends his quivering hand to everyone with what probably no thriving success. He was a “man of sorrows, and ac- amounted to a wet handshake. The narrator has made his quainted with grief.” What terror gripped his soul in the fi- point: David’s role as father had overshadowed his role as nal hour when he was handed over to hell itself, whose messianic king, and as such, placed the kingdom of God in forces impaled him on that tree and he hung suspended great jeopardy. The God of Abraham has appeared again between heaven and earth, a nowhere man? What was it in history to demand his exacting price for a “good news” like for the Father to see his Son in the place of Barabbas, that will not be cheapened by easy sentimentality. The who was, in fact, an Absalom, a revolutionary seeking to narrator has painted Joab, who clearly disobeyed the take over the kingdom by force? What did he feel when king’s command, as a better servant of the kingdom than the Son uttered the agonized cry, “My God, My God, why David, because Joab was willing to deal head on, without have you forsaken me?” He hung there, not by his hair, compromise, with the grim realities. This is a telling tale but suspended by his veins, until a spear pierced his heart. for fathers who can become so attached to their offspring What grief did the Father feel as he looked over horizon’s that they lose sight of the highest good. Most of us would rim, and gasped. Did he not crawl up into his chamber, in respond like David. Rare is the father like Abraham, who isolation, and cry, like Absalom’s father, in obedience lay his son on the altar of sacrifice. “My son Jesus, my son, my son Jesus , The story leaves us with a warning, and captures us Would I had died instead of you, with wonder at a perspective of the gospel that we do not O Jesus, my son, my son!” see anywhere else. Here the focus is on a father’s grief, and we see that, from his perspective, the “good news” is Perhaps this is the allusion we long for, but we are privy the worst possible news. I remember how comforting this to neither words nor voice, only the sight of the heavens text was for me when as a father, I lost a son. I used Da- turning black as death’s dark shadows are put to flight. vid’s words to articulate my own grief: What Father is this who carries the deepest sorrow in his bosom, sorrow suffered because of me, and never displays O my son David, my son, my son, it in front of me? He never holds his grief over us but hides would I had died instead of you! it, that we may be drawn by love alone to that wondrous Observing this perspective of a father’s grief in the Da- tree where he contemplated, paid, and set us free, to bind vid story, we would come to expect it in the Jesus story. one and all, Father Son, until one and all are filled with But surprisingly, it is absent. Why is it, I wonder, when we Peace, for he is our Ab shalom! come to the Jesus story, our Emmanuel, our Dayspring, the climactic good news of history, we are drawn into the story from everyone’s point of view except the Father’s? 1. Mahanaim means “two camps” after Jacob’s experience there When the angel appears to Mary, we sing her song. When when he witnessed angels camped around him (Gen 32:2). It is a Joseph hears his wife is with child, we experience his un- foreshadowing of David’s victory. belief. When the angels break through the night sky to an- 2. I have depended heavily on the classic work of J. P. Fokkelman, nounce good news to the shepherds, we are struck by Narrative Art and Poetry in the Books of Samuel, vol. 1, King David (As- their fear. As the star appears in the East and kings jour- sen: Van Gorcum, 1981), 232-297, for many of my insights in this scene. ney to Bethlehem, we walk with them. When Joseph and 3. Fokkelman, King David, 241. Mary present Jesus at the temple, and Simeon and Anna 4. Fokkelman, King David, 243. catch sight of him, we are drawn with them into Israel’s 5. Fokkelman, King David, 242. most sacred visitation. But where is the Father’s perspec- 6. Fokkelman, King David, 246. tive in the story? It is totally eclipsed. 7. Fokkelman, King David, 257. 8. Fokkelman, King David, 263. 9. Fokkelman, King David, 262.

© 1996 Peninsula Bible Church/Cupertino

This message from Scripture was preached at Peninsula Bible Church/Cupertino, on Sunday, December 15th, 1996. PBC/Cupertino is located at 10601 North Blaney Ave., Cupertino CA 95014. Offices: 10062 Miller Ave., Suite 108, Cupertino CA 95014. Telephone (408) 366 6690.